9: Eytan Zias

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creatives on Jackalope Ranch.

After a 10 year cooking career working at New York restaurants such as Aureole, Le Cote Basque and Craft, Eytan Zias decided to open the Phoenix Knife House, a chef supply store specializing in kitchen knives, waterstone sharpening and chef uniforms. The shop has been described as "the barber shop for chefs," but also caters to the Valley's home cooks and after five years in business has one of the top collections of Japanese knives in the US. October 1st the shop will be moving to a larger location at 4837 E. Indian School Rd in the Arcadia neighborhood.

I arrived in Phoenix with... Literally a backpack (the first time). Originally from Jerusalem, Israel, I left there in a hurry when I was around 20 and came here since I had family. I found it extremely slow paced and boring, went to culinary school at SCI and moved to NY to cook.

My second time moving here was in '04 to help out with the Fiamma restaurant at the James hotel (may it rest in peace) and was supposed to be temporary - but after a two year stint there and a year at Kai it seemed to be pretty permanent.

I now live in Phoenix by choice, have put down roots, and wouldn't trade it for any other city in the world.

If I was sitting down to dinner for six, my five dream dining companions would be... Bill Maher, Senator Al Franken, Mitch Hedberg, my wife Joy, and Beyonce (maybe Alain Passard as an alternate).

One place everyone who comes to Phoenix must eat is... Tacos Jaliscos on 68th St. (North of Thomas)

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One menu item this city could do without is... The Hummus Trio plate - there is no such thing as a cilantro or red pepper flavored hummus, just call it what it is: a bad chickpea dip (also the bacon craze is idiotic and has got to stop).

My last meal in Phoenix would be... Blowing through my savings at Shinbay.